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Clegg apology to queuing voters | Clegg apology to queuing voters |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has apologised to voters who had been waiting in long queues at a polling station in his Sheffield constituency. | |
Mr Clegg went to the polling station in Ranmoor in Sheffield Hallam at about 1900 BST where voters had been queuing for more than three hours. | Mr Clegg went to the polling station in Ranmoor in Sheffield Hallam at about 1900 BST where voters had been queuing for more than three hours. |
Many of those people queuing were unable to vote before polls closed. | Many of those people queuing were unable to vote before polls closed. |
Police were called to move people who staged sit-in protests at three polling stations in the city. | Police were called to move people who staged sit-in protests at three polling stations in the city. |
Officers were called to a polling station at Bents Green Methodist Church - near Mr Clegg's house - where several people were protesting after being unable to vote. | Officers were called to a polling station at Bents Green Methodist Church - near Mr Clegg's house - where several people were protesting after being unable to vote. |
Speaking as he was returned as MP for Sheffield Hallam, Mr Clegg said he shared the "bitter dismay" of many of his constituents over the situation. | |
"That should never, ever happen again in our democracy," he said. | |
John Mothersole said the council was "caught out" by high turnouts | |
Police were also called to Ranmoor, where about 200 people were turned away from voting, and a polling station in Woodseats to move voters who were refusing to leave. | |
The Electoral Commission said it would be undertaking a "thorough review" of what had happened in constituencies where people were unable to vote. | The Electoral Commission said it would be undertaking a "thorough review" of what had happened in constituencies where people were unable to vote. |
John Mothersole, Sheffield City Council chief executive and returning officer, said: "We got this wrong and I would like to apologise. | John Mothersole, Sheffield City Council chief executive and returning officer, said: "We got this wrong and I would like to apologise. |
"We were faced with a difficult situation with the numbers of people, and a large amount of students turning up to vote without polling cards. | "We were faced with a difficult situation with the numbers of people, and a large amount of students turning up to vote without polling cards. |
"This made the administration process of ensuring the correct person was given a ballot paper much longer. | "This made the administration process of ensuring the correct person was given a ballot paper much longer. |
"The only remedy, which we could not take, was to extend the voting times." | "The only remedy, which we could not take, was to extend the voting times." |
Dr Matthew Winter said he was turned away from the city's Eccleshall Parish Church polling station at 2200 BST. | Dr Matthew Winter said he was turned away from the city's Eccleshall Parish Church polling station at 2200 BST. |
Boundary changes | |
"I am frustrated I have not been able to vote. | "I am frustrated I have not been able to vote. |
"I think it's wrong there were not enough people there, there were only three people there who were processing votes and giving out ballot papers." | "I think it's wrong there were not enough people there, there were only three people there who were processing votes and giving out ballot papers." |
Former Hillsborough MP Helen Jackson said the situation was disgraceful and could result in a legal challenge if results were close. | Former Hillsborough MP Helen Jackson said the situation was disgraceful and could result in a legal challenge if results were close. |
BBC reporter Tom Ingall described the scenes at Ranmoor as "extraordinary". | BBC reporter Tom Ingall described the scenes at Ranmoor as "extraordinary". |
Boundary changes have seen two newly-created seats of Penistone and Stocksbridge, and Wentworth and Dearne. | Boundary changes have seen two newly-created seats of Penistone and Stocksbridge, and Wentworth and Dearne. |
The Sheffield Attercliffe seat has now been renamed Sheffield South East. Sheffield Brightside and Sheffield Hillsborough have become one seat. | The Sheffield Attercliffe seat has now been renamed Sheffield South East. Sheffield Brightside and Sheffield Hillsborough have become one seat. |
The changes were part of a reorganisation by the Boundary Commission for England. | The changes were part of a reorganisation by the Boundary Commission for England. |